Suspension trainer

ABSTRACT

A suspension trainer having a user support and a cover disposed around at least a portion of the user support. A first attachment element is connected to a first end of the suspension trainer accessory and a second attachment element is connected to a second end of the suspension trainer. In certain embodiments, a strap extends through the user support.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an exercise apparatus and more particularly to a suspension trainer accessory including a user support and an attachment means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise is an integral part of personal fitness and the overall health and wellbeing of men and women of all ages. Various exercises may be performed to strengthen muscles, maintain good cardiovascular health, improve athletic skills, and attain a desired weight and/or body mass index. Additionally, exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy immune system and optimal mental health. Exercise may also be important for rehabilitating an injury to a muscle or joint, for example.

Regular physical exercise often requires the use of exercise equipment such as weights, weight lifting machines, ellipticals, and treadmills, for example. Due to the wide spectrum of users that may benefit from using various exercise equipment, it is important that the exercise equipment meet the needs of different users that have varying physical fitness levels and specific limitations and/or strengths.

Suspension trainers are particularly useful with respect to meeting a wide range of needs for users having varying fitness levels and abilities. Suspension trainers known in the art typically include one or more handles connecting to suspension elements that the user grasps onto in order to perform upper body exercises. The user is able to vary the difficulty of the workout while using the suspension trainer by varying the extent of the user's body weight that the user is working against. Typically, the extent of the body weight is determined by the angle at which the user is positioned relative to the floor, the elasticity of the suspension elements, or a combination of the two.

Known suspension trainers have limitations, however. For example, known suspension trainers are typically used for building strength in the user's arms and upper body and are not useful for stretching and performing exercises aimed at improving the user's lower body or mid-section. Additionally, shoulder, neck, back, and/or arm injuries may prevent the user from effectively using the suspension trainer, or use of the suspension trainer may exacerbate an injury. Furthermore, suspension trainers currently available are often not very durable, are arduous to use, and are not adapted to be used with other exercise equipment.

It would be desirable to have a durable, versatile suspension trainer capable of providing a user with a total body workout and meeting the needs of a wide range of users that have different strengths, limitations, and physical fitness levels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Consonant with the present invention, a durable, versatile suspension trainer capable of providing a user with a total body workout and meeting the needs of a wide range of users that have different strengths, limitations, and physical fitness levels, has surprisingly been discovered.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, a suspension trainer includes a user support, a cover disposed around at least a portion of the user support, and at least one attachment element connected to an end of the exercise apparatus.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, a suspension trainer including a user support and a cover disposed around at least a portion of the user support is disclosed. The accessory also includes a strap supporting the user support, a first attachment element connected to a first end of the strap, and a second attachment element connected to a second end of the strap.

In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, a suspension trainer includes a user support, a cover disposed around at least a portion of the user support, and a strap connected to the user support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a suspension trainer according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of a suspension trainer according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of a suspension trainer according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of a suspension trainer according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view with a portion thereof in section and showing a user utilizing the suspension trainer of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the suspension trainer taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, there is illustrated a suspension trainer, generally identified by reference numeral 10, for use as an exercise apparatus. The suspension trainer 10 includes a user support 12, a cover 14, and attachment elements 16. The suspension trainer 10 is configured to be secured to a separate suspension trainer or other secure object.

The user support 12 is typically a hollow, rigid element such as a PVC pipe, for example. Other rigid materials such as alternative types of plastic or metal may also be used to form the user support 12. In certain embodiments of the disclosure, the user support 12 is not hollow. The user support 12 may have a slight curvature or arch along a length of the user support 12 that corresponds to a shape of a midsection of a user. The curvature allows for the user support 12 to cradle and stabilize the midsection of the user while the suspension trainer accessory 10 is in use. Alternatively, the user support 12 may be linear.

A cross-section of the user support 12 is typically circular in shape, as shown in FIG. 6, but may be any other shape such as rectangular, triangular, or irregular, for example. In certain embodiments, a length of the user support 12 extends across a width of the midsection of the user. However, the length of the user support 12 may be shorter or longer, and may be fixed or adjustable. A diameter or width of the user support 12 may vary along the length of the user support 12 or may be uniform.

In an alternative embodiment of the disclosure, a belt or strap 18 may be utilized as the user support 12, as shown in FIG. 4). The strap 18 may be made from a flexible, resilient material such as cloth, rubber, mesh, elastic, plastic, or leather, for example. The strap 18 is capable of conforming to or tightly fitting around the user, and provides stability to the midsection of the user when the user is supported by the strap 18.

In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, the user support 12 may be formed from a heat moldable material such as thermoplastic, for example.

In certain embodiments, the cover 14 is made from a cushion material such as foam or cloth, for example, in order to absorb the impact from a body weight of the user against the suspension trainer 10. The cover 14 may have a smooth or textured surface. In certain embodiments, the cover 14 is made from a material that is easily cleaned after use of the suspension trainer 10.

The cover 14 may be integral with the user support 12 or may be a separate component that is one of permanently attached to the user support 12 or removably connected to the user support 12. A chemical fastener such as a natural or synthetic adhesive or glue, for example, and/or a mechanical fastener such as rivets or screws, for example, may be used to secure the cover 14 to the user support 14. Alternatively, the cover 14 may be secured to the user support 12 by a friction fit. A length of the cover 14 may be less than, equal to, or greater than the length of the user support 12. A width of the cover 14 may vary as designed according to different embodiments.

The cover 14 includes a surface area that contacts the midsection of the user or palms of the user when the suspension trainer 10 is in use. The surface area is desirably large enough to absorb the impact of the body weight of the user while providing a comfortable surface against which the user may lean. However, the shape and size of the surface area of the user support 12 should not inhibit the user from bending the midsection of the user or gripping the user support 12 during use of the suspension trainer 10.

In certain embodiments of the suspension trainer 10 such as the embodiment including the strap 18, shown in FIG. 4, the cover 14 may be eliminated.

The attachment elements 16 are typically made from a material such as metal, for example, capable of withstanding the body weight of the user when the suspension trainer 10 is in use. In certain embodiments, the attachment elements 16 are carabiner clips or other fasteners, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The attachment elements 16 are capable of connecting the suspension trainer 10 to the separate suspension trainer (not shown).

The attachment elements 16 may be integral with the user support 12 and/or the cover 14, or the attachment elements 16 may be separate components. The attachment elements 16 may be permanently connected to the user support 12 and/or the cover 14 by welding, for example, or may be removably connected to the user support 12 and/or the cover 14 through an aperture in the user support 12 and/or the cover 14. Typically, a first attachment element 16 is connected to a first end of the suspension trainer 10 and a second attachment element 16 is connected to a second end of the suspension trainer 10. In certain embodiments, a single attachment element 16 or a plurality of attachment elements 16 connect the suspension trainer 10 to the separate suspension trainer.

In certain embodiments of the disclosure, the attachment elements 16 may be attached to a strap 20 that is permanently connected or removably connected to the suspension trainer 10. For example, the first attachment element 16 may be connected to a first end of the strap 20 and the second attachment element 16 may be connected to a second end of the strap 20, as shown in FIG. 2. The strap 20 may extend through the user support 12 and/or the cover 14 in certain embodiments. Alternatively, there may be a first strap 20 connected to a first end of the user support 12 and/or the cover 14 and a second strap 20 connected to a second end of the user support 12 and/or the cover 14.

The strap 20 is typically made from a resilient, flexible material such as polyester, for example, that is capable of withstanding the body weight of the user. It is understood that other materials can be used as desired. A length of the strap 20 may vary according to different embodiments and may be fixed or adjustable. In certain embodiments, the strap 20 may have a loop 22 formed at each of the first end of the strap 20 and the second end of the strap 20 for attaching to the attachment elements 16 or to the separate suspension trainer.

A suspension trainer 24 including an embodiment of the user support 12, an embodiment of the cover 14, and an embodiment of the strap 20, as described above, may also be operated by the user (see FIGS. 3 and 5). The strap 20 of the suspension trainer 24 is adapted to be secured in place by and extend outwardly away from a door, a door frame, a wall, or other secure, substantially rigid object, as shown in FIG. 5. Accordingly, the strap 20 of the suspension trainer 24 is typically longer than the strap 20 of the suspension trainer 10.

In use, the attachment elements 16 of the suspension trainer 10 are connected to a separate suspension trainer that is secured by any secure object. Alternatively, the straps 20 of the suspension trainer 24 are secured to a door, a door frame, a wall, or any other secure, substantially rigid object. Certain embodiments of the suspension trainer 24 may be secured by positioning a first loop 22 over a first end of a door and a second loop 22 over a second end of the door. The door is then closed and the straps 20 are secured between the door and the door frame. The loops 22 militate against the straps 20 sliding out from a space between the door and the door frame (see FIG. 5).

Once the suspension trainer 10, 24 is adequately secured, the user leans into the user support 12 with a front midsection, a back midsection, a side midsection, or the palms of the user and contacts the surface of the cover 14 and/or the user support 12. The user then performs exercises and/or stretches such as cobra stretches, back extensions, knee dips, and squats, for example, using the suspension trainer 10, 24.

The user may vary the complexity and difficulty of the exercises and stretches by altering an angle at which the user stands relative to a floor and thereby altering the amount of the body weight of the user against which the user is working. Additionally, the user may use the palms to apply force to the strap 20 in front of the user to optimize a resistance from the suspension trainer 10, 24.

The above-described suspension trainers 10, 24 have several advantages. First, unlike other suspension trainers, the suspension trainers 10, 24 provide a means for upper body and midsection exercises and stretches for the user. Accordingly, exercises and stretches such as back extensions and cobra stretches, for example, may be performed. Additionally, the suspension trainer 10 is versatile in that it may be used with other suspension trainers by connecting the attachment elements 16 to the other suspension trainers. Furthermore, the user support 12 of the suspension trainers 10, 24 provides a more stable, solid plane against which the user may balance, rather than the unstable hand grips included in other suspension trainers.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An suspension trainer comprising: a user support; a cover disposed around at least a portion of the user support; and at least one attachment element connected to an end of the exercise apparatus.
 2. The suspension trainer of claim 1, wherein the user support is one of a rigid element, a strap, and a belt.
 3. The suspension trainer of claim 2, wherein the user support is the rigid element, and wherein the rigid element is hollow and has a curvature along a length thereof.
 4. The suspension trainer of claim 1, wherein the cover is made from an impact-absorbing material.
 5. The suspension trainer of claim 1, wherein the cover is attached to the user support by one of a chemical fastener, a mechanical fastener, and a friction fit.
 6. The suspension trainer of claim 1, including a plurality of attachment elements, wherein a first one of the attachment elements is connected to a first end of the user support and a second one of the attachment elements is connected to a second end of the user support.
 7. The suspension trainer of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment element is a carabiner clip.
 8. The suspension trainer of claim 2, including a plurality of attachment elements, wherein the rigid element has a strap extending therethrough, and wherein a first end of the strap is connected to a first one of the attachment elements and a second end of the strap is connected to a second one of the attachment elements.
 9. A suspension trainer comprising: a user support; a cover disposed around at least a portion of the user support; a strap supporting the user support; and a first attachment element connected to a first end of the strap and a second attachment element connected to a second end of the strap.
 10. The suspension trainer of claim 10, wherein the user support is one of a rigid element, a strap, and a belt.
 11. The suspension trainer of claim 11, wherein the user support is the rigid element and wherein the rigid element is hollow and has a curvature along a length thereof.
 12. The suspension trainer of claim 10, wherein the cover is made from an impact-absorbing material.
 13. The suspension trainer of claim 10, wherein the cover is attached to the user support by one of a chemical fastener, a mechanical fastener, and a friction fit.
 14. The suspension trainer of claim 10, wherein the first attachment element and the second attachment element are carabiner clips.
 15. The suspension trainer of claim 12, wherein the strap extends through the rigid element.
 16. A suspension trainer comprising: a user support; a cover disposed around at least a portion of the user support; and a strap extending through the user support.
 17. The suspension trainer of claim 16, wherein the user support is a rigid, hollow element having a curvature along a length of the user support.
 18. The suspension trainer of claim 16, wherein the cover is attached to the user support by one of a chemical fastener, a mechanical fastener, and a friction fit.
 19. The suspension trainer of claim 16, wherein the strap includes a first end having a first loop and a second end having a second loop. 